Frequently Asked Questions

No single explanation addresses the majority of UAP reports. We are collecting as much data as possible, following the data where it leads, and sharing our findings whenever possible.  We will not rush to conclusions in our analysis.  In many cases, observed phenomena are classified as ‘unidentified’ simply because sensors were not able to collect enough information to make a positive attribution.

Common objects/causes frequently reported as UAP include:

• Airborne clutter: Includes windborne debris like plastic bags and mylar balloons, or birds. These may appear anomalous due to their unpredictable motion and small size. Even technical sensors like radar can misperceive these objects as acting strangely.
• Commercial or scientific balloons: High-altitude balloons used for weather, research, or communications often lack identifying markings and can look strange when viewed from certain angles or under certain conditions. The National Weather Service launches hundreds of these balloons daily, and businesses, universities, and local weather stations launch hundreds more. Worldwide, thousands are launched every day.
• Commercial or military aircraft: Misidentified conventional aircraft—particularly when viewed from unusual angles, in low-visibility conditions, or using infrared/optical sensors can appear anomalous.
• Unmanned aerial vehicles (i.e., drones): Drones can exhibit erratic or rapid movement, lack visible navigation lights, and often evade radar classification because of their small size.
• Space launches: Rocket launches and stage separations can produce high-altitude luminous events, spiral patterns, or lingering exhaust plumes, often leading to misclassification as UAP.
• Satellites: Sunlight reflecting off satellite surfaces (e.g., solar panels, antennas) can produce bright lights (flares or glints), commonly mistaken for fast-moving UAP or “orbs.”
• Celestial objects: Bright planets like Venus and Jupiter, meteors, and other astronomical bodies can be misperceived as hovering or maneuvering objects due to perceptual or relative motion optical effects.

Both the scope and scientific rigor of AARO’s work set the office apart.  It is the first U.S. government office to be tasked with synchronizing efforts across DoD and the interagency to collect, report, and analyze UAP.  AARO is taking a collaborative, objective, and data-driven approach to its mission, and is partnering with a wide range of stakeholders.

Optical phenomena, such as motion parallax, can explain how a stationary or slow-moving object can appear to be moving rapidly relative to a fast-moving observer. In such cases, it is the observer's speed and field of view that causes the apparent motion of the background behind the observed object, not the object's speed. This effect is enhanced if the object is closer to the observer or if the sensor is viewing the object within a small field of view.

Click on the link to view a slide that provides a general overview of the information that is most useful to AARO in assessing UAP reports. This includes information both about the UAP itself and the observer.


Useful information for UAP analysis

Some examples of additional data that would be useful for analysis include:  metadata from cell phone pictures (GPS coordinates, time stamps, etc.);  higher resolution video with associated metadata;  any measured (and recorded) RF data with GPS location and time stamps from HAM radio and amateur radio operators. In addition, night vision camera footage can be useful, but only if it is of high enough resolution and associated with GPS data.  To be helpful, camera data needs to be uncompressed and include the camera specifications, noting that data compression adds artifacts to the data.  In addition, one of the most important considerations for providing scientifically useful data is to ensure data is recorded, time stamped, and geolocated for both the observer and observed object (if possible).  This enables comparison of the public information to known public databases such as air traffic, balloon tracking, and satellite tracking databases to eliminate known sources.

Firsthand knowledge refers to an individual who participated in, was involved with, or was directly supporting a U.S. government program or activity related to UAP.

No.  Examination of UAP sightings is ongoing.  AARO uses a rigorous scientific framework and data-driven approach to better understand UAP.  We will follow the science wherever it leads.